Bates Women's lacrosse pitches unprecedented shutout, tops Wesleyan 12-0

The Bobcats converge on goalie Hannah Jeffrey at the conclusion of Bates' 12-0 win over Wesleyan on March 5, 2016. (Josh Kuckens/Bates College)

LEWISTON, Maine -- The Bates women's lacrosse team held its opponent scoreless for the first time since 2007, as senior goalie Hannah Jeffrey pitched a 10-save shutout and senior Moriah Greenstein scored five goals in a 12-0 victory over Wesleyan University on Saturday.

The game was Bates' (3-0, 1-0 NESCAC) league- and home opener at Garcelon Field, and it was the season opener for the visiting Cardinals (0-1, 0-1 NESCAC).

It was Bates' first shutout since a 19-0 win at the University of Dallas in 2007, and it was the Bobcats' first shutout ever against a NESCAC opponent. Bates' 6-3 win over Trinity in 2014 previously stood as its top defensive effort in a conference game.

The win capped an outstanding week for Jeffrey (Greenwich, Conn.), Bates' two-time All-American and the 2015 Division III Goalie of the Year. Including Bates' 11-3 win at Wellesley on Wednesday, Jeffrey allowed only three goals on the week with 23 saves, for a stratospheric save percentage of .885.

Bates assumed a 6-0 halftime lead on the strength of five free-position goals out of five attempts, led off by Greenstein's (Millerton, N.Y.) shot 2:21 into the opening period. Sophomore Allison Dewey (Vergennes, Vt.) made it 2-0 23 seconds after the ensuing draw on another free-position shot. Bates added four scores in the final 13 minutes of the half, with Greenstein feeding Dewey on her second goal, followed by free-position goals by Greenstein, sophomore Camille Belletete (Jaffrey, N.H.) and junior Sydney Cowles (Wayne, Pa.).

Bates' lock-down defense kept the Cardinals from penetrating or finding open shots on possession after possession, even after getting opportunities, with Bates committing 16 turnovers to Wesleyan's 13. But Jeffrey's bid for the shutout was put to the test multiple times down the stretch, with two close-range saves made against Meredith Smith and another against Julia Black. Wesleyan took seven of its total 11 shots in the second half, but Jeffrey was equal to the task, totaling six saves in the period.

Greenstein, who set Bates' career assists record earlier this week at Wellesley, paced the Bates offense in the second half with three more goals, to match her career-high single-game total of five goals -- previously achieved in her first season against Hamilton.

Dewey's outstanding game included two goals, one assist, four caused turnovers, three ground balls and two draw controls. Sophomore Drew Barry (Portland, Maine) and seniors Emma Brinkman (Rye, N.Y.) and Alex Briody (North Kingstown, R.I.) also pitched in with goals.
The Bobcats had a 12-2 advantage in draw controls, including five by Belletete.

For Wesleyan, senior goalie Nina Labovich equaled Jeffrey's total with 10 saves.

The Bobcats, 3-0 for the first time since 2007, will host Babson in a non-conference game Wednesday at 5pm.